HB1163 Summary

• Creates the Oklahoma Municipal Fire Protection District Act allowing municipalities to establish municipal fire protection districts through voter election requiring at least three-fifths (3/5) approval.

• Districts are operated as municipal departments and funded through annual ad valorem levies of two (2) mills on assessed property value for operation, maintenance, equipment, and employee salaries and benefits.

• Allows electors to authorize an additional one-mill annual levy by separate election (requiring 3/5 approval) for purchasing or maintaining vehicles and equipment for a specified number of years.

• Establishes collection procedures through county treasurers, creates liens against property for unpaid assessments coequal with ad valorem taxes, charges 18% annual interest on delinquent assessments, and permits district court foreclosure actions within five (5) years of assessment maturity.

• Permits dissolution of districts by majority voter approval at elections called by municipal governing body, with all remaining equipment and funds retained by the municipality; effective November 1, 2015.